Justice Department drops anti-trust probe against automakers

In September the Trump administration revoked California's authority to set its own stricter emissions standards for vehicles. BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, and Honda collectively agreed to align with California-advocated emissions standards instead of the lower standards reset by the U.S. EPA.

The U.S. Justice Department, nudged by the Trump Administration, responded by launching a probe of BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, and Honda to determine if the companies stifled auto sales competition in California by agreeing to the state’s standards. In February, the DOJ dropped its probe.